6 Ways to Care for Your Washing Machine

Keep your laundry room and clothes in great shape with these basic washing machine tips

I recently moved to Portland, Maine, with my family. I spend most of my days reading storybooks and running after my two amazing toddlers, Juniper and Leo. I work as a freelance writer, blogger, stylist, and media consultant. I started out in magazines, working in the home department of Real Simple magazine and later worked as the home editor of Redbook. I love checking out the antique stores up here whenever I have free time.

I recently moved to Portland, Maine, with my family. I spend most of my... More

Your washing machine needs some love. Think about what this machine does for you: It cleans a hamper's worth of dirty clothes in less than an hour and magically removes all kinds of stains without scrubbing — day in and day out. Like any appliance, you need to clean and care for your washing machine to keep it running smoothly. A little bit of upkeep goes a long way, so here are a few simple tricks to try.

1. Deep cleaning. Do you feel like your clothes are not coming out as clean as they should? Or do you detect an odor inside your washing machine? Then it's time for a deep clean. I like to use The Laundress Machine Cleaner once a month to clean out my washer — and I've noticed it cleans better when I do. You'll want to run an empty cycle on hot wash with your machine cleaner — or simply laundry detergent.

You can make your own DIY washing-machine cleaner. If you feel like your washing machine needs sanitizing, make a solution of 3/4 cup of bleach and 1 tablespoon of powdered laundry detergent. Let the solution run through a soak cycle of your machine, and then run a rinse cycle to remove the bleach and clear it out.

2. Keep the door open. Here's a big one you may not know. You're supposed to leave the lid or door to the washing machine open after every load. Why? Keeping the door open allows the moisture inside the drum of the washing machine to evaporate.

3. Clean spills. I've been guilty of this mistake. If you spill anything on your washer, you should wipe it away with a damp soft cloth right away — don't let the spill sit for long.

What's the problem (besides a dried spill being harder to clean)? Most washer tops are made of porcelain enamel or a synthetic enamel. This finish can be damaged by exposure to solutions like ammonia, chlorine bleach or any abrasive cleaners.

4. Protect the finish. If you use the top of your washing machine as a work surface, lay a folded towel on top to protect its finish.This is especially helpful when you treat stains, since stain removers can make the top of the washing machine sticky. The baked enamel finish on washers can also scratch easily. Keep any sharp tools (such as scissors) safely away.

Keep any liquids away from the control panel. Liquid detergents and stain removers can damage the finish.

5. Wipe it down — inside and out. I've been rather neglectful of my washing machine and noticed that it's getting a sticky residue from small detergent spills. It's important to wipe down the outside of your washing machine about once a week, just as you would any other surface in your home. The best solution is a mild dishwashing liquid (which can cut grease) and water.

Don't forget the inside of your washer! You should periodically wipe down the inside drum of the machine with a damp cloth. It's easy for lint, dirt or soapy residue to build up inside.

7. Keep an eye on the hoses connected to your washing machine. You want to be sure they don't become bent. If your washing machine is older, it may be time to replace those hoses (which should be replaced every five years.) A leak in your washing machine hose can cause a flood in your home.

I use the Tide machine cleaner. It leaves the machine sparkling clean and smelling wonderful. I do find however it is not necessary to use an entire packet at one time. I split the package into 2 washings.

First off, this would be an ultimate luxury, having not only a laundry room, but one of such beauty and magnitude. Currently my washer and dryer live in a small dug out basement. Someone walking overhead causes dirt to sift from its unfinished ceiling onto both the machines and anything else that resides there. With a little effort (because of an assortment of overhead wires) I have tacked up a sheet to catch these drifts of dirt, but it is going to take more money than I currently have to make it a truly usable (and likable) room. I do however appreciate the functions of a washer and dryer and the ease to which they bless my life and appreciate this information on helping to give them a long life. (:

oops, I like with my own septic tank and drainfield and never use bleach. It kills the good bugs that are needed to keep the system healthy. Pay attention to the amount of detergent used in each load based on water hardness. Too many suds are not useful in good cleaning results. Clean the screens in the water supply hoses. Keep the dryer vent hose and outside vent cover clear. Lots of lint can accumulate and impede ventilation and even become a fire hazard.

use less detergent. most frontload washers require only 1 tablespoon of soap. the more soap you add, the more residue builds up. as an alternative to bleach, which is not environmentally friendly, try 2/3 cup of lemon juice, no detergent, and skip the bleach. works just as well. empty your pockets. those little things can get inside your drain pump motor.